Thursday, December 20, 2007

Music expresses many ideas, beliefs, and opinions. Many of these can be skewed or taken the wrong way, so how should a person really understand the music they're listening to? Many times we can read into what a writer is saying to the point that we miss the main message of what he/she is singing about. And yet there are other times when we don't even pay attention to what we are listening to, and miss the joy that it can bring us. All music is biased; all music is an expression of the moods, feelings, and beliefs of the writers. If a writer is feeling hopelessness or at a loss, he will express those moods and feelings in his music. If a person has a cause for hope or joy in their life, they will express it; and yet either of these moods among many could be expressed in any song. When we listen to a song what kind of feelings does it invoke? Is there something wrong with feeling the same feelings as the writer, and identifying with him?

Just as emotions are communicated through music, beliefs are as well. Listening to a song doesn't particularly mean that we agree with the belief being communicated, but by listening to it we can understand the belief. By listening to this music we understand the author better, and those people who do feel the same as him. It is fine to listen to music passively, but at other times we gain the most from it by hearing the message and mood of the song and thinking about what we can learn from it. Is what's being communicated something that should be embraced or avoided? If you take the time to recognize and consider the bias, mood, and message without over-analyzing a new world of communicating opens up to you.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Well, I've had a lot to think about the last couple days. My last post wasn't really on the happier side, and really the things I've been thinking about aren't all the brighter. The thing is that I think my perspective on things is changing a bit.

I've really been introspective lately, just kind of keeping to myself. Not the most healthy thing, and I've noticed it to. This book I read a couple weeks ago talked about personal prayer lives, and made me see how much of my prayer time I spend praying about myself. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's not the best way to pray either.

Been trying to make my prayers less about me, and more about others. My problems really pale in comparison to others. My problems seem really big, and each of us face those things that really are serious, but really I'm not called to pray selfishly. I have to admit that I haven't been improving much.

You know, I think we all see that we need to pray for others, and yet I don't think I ever really encountered it. I mean I know there's people out their suffering, but when it's somebody you know... somebody who affects the people around you... it's different.

And yeah, I'm not posting to say I've achieved some "higher understanding" this week or anything, but it's just really awesome when God takes your point of view and turns it right around. So my nondepressing "Song of the Day" today is About You by Zoegirl

I've been thinking latelyAbout youWhen it hit me from nowhereOut of the grayEverything's been coming togetherNow that I'm movedBeyond myselfAnd wrapped my head aroundSomething else

Chorus:It's not about meIt's gotta be about you (everyday)And all I wanna see isWho you're turning me intoI will not forgetThat you saidYou'd always lead me throughTo who I wanna beMaking every part of meAbout you

I've been spending so much timeDisconnectedI was searching for affectionInside myselfBut I finally turned awayFrom my reflectionSaw your world outside my doorAnd everything that I've been looking for

Chorus

So I lay down my pride'Cause you laid down your lifeAnd I'm giving love that's holding me byAnd thinking to youAnd you lead me throughAnd you always do

Sunday, December 9, 2007

I remember whenWe used to laughAbout nothing at allIt was better than going madFrom trying to solve all the problems we're going throughForget 'em allCause on those nights we would stand and never fallTogether we faced it allRemember when we'd

[Chorus:]Stay up late and we'd talk all nightIn a dark room lit by the tv lightThrough all the hard times in my lifeThose nights kept me alive

listen to the radio play all nightDidn't want to go home to another fightThrough all the hard times in my lifeThose nights kept me alive

I remember whenWe used to driveAnywhere but hereAs long as we'd forget our livesWe were so young and confused that we didn't knowTo laugh or cryThose nights were oursThey will live and never dieTogether we'd stand foreverRemember when we'd

[Bridge:]Those nights belong to usThere's nothing wrong with us

I remember whenWe used to laughAnd now I wish those nights would last

__________

Yeah, life's complicated. Time's are changing, even worse-people are changing. I just wish we could go back to some of those care-free times. Sick of certain tensions that build, and wish things could go back to the way they were. I'm not talking about any one individual, but yeah...

Awesome songs that get me through the week:Comatose-SkilletBreathe Into Me-RedCan't Go On-Group 1 CrewForgive Me-Group 1 CrewThose Nights-SkilletThe Last Night-Skillet

I love the way rock songs give that release. You know what I mean? Just this strain that builds up that can't get out, and it's soo awesome to be able to listen to these powerful songs that are Christ centered and give that rush. For every time there's a season, and lately I've needed these songs that express an anger and outrage at the way things are, and look to the way they should be.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Yeah I don't know about you, but I am like a super wiki user(not an addict though). I use it for a lot of my research, and I help my siblings with research by using it to. Well, I am writing a note of warning to anyone else who uses Wikipedia.

There is pornography on wikipedia. Now I'm not saying to go and boycott Wikipedia, because it is one of my favorite sites and has so much information it's not even funny. I do a lot of theological research on it as well, yet we need to be careful of the dangers that are there.

Today, I was looking up some information on drone honey bees for my sister. Well, do you know how many different terms that will come up with especially if you are looking for any information on mating? Now for some people this is a no-brainer, and yet I think everybody needs a reminder to be careful. I'll put it as simply as I can: there are depictions, descriptions, sketches, and diagrams that the main-stream considers "educational", but in reality these are pornographic.

Now, porn can be found anywhere if you look for it, but Wikipedia is a site that is normally not black-listed but has pages and pages of content that could be dangerous.

Tips to avoid problems:-Use discretion, if something looks curious-it probably is.-Use proper search terms(don't include words that could have double meanings).-Use the library(yeah it's old-fashioned, but librarians can often help you find information within minutes; AND make sure it's age-appropriate)-Look for alternatives. If you do find a good page on Wikipedia, look at the sources. Often these sources can be just as helpful.-Guard your heart; if there is something questionable-don't use it. Chances are: -There will be something worse. -Bad content can be well hidden.

I haven't searched this site extensively, but it's goals seem to be to keep the site free of foul language, and sexual topics. http://www.conservapedia.com/Main_Page